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I think we've all noticed how rooms with lots of books smell different than rooms without them - libraries and bookstores in particular - but have you ever noticed how they sound different as well? Books drink sound in, hold it momentarily, and give it back in subdued but pure tones. When I was first imagining what kind of tone would be appropriate for the Bookologist, this image came to mind: a kind of room inside our minds, a quiet but meaningful place to come when we need to be refreshed from day-to-day bookselling.
In this first issue of the Bookologist I hope to set this tone, and what better way to begin than a safari into the bookselling jungle of our minds to hunt deadly myths? As a bookseller, do you labor under any misconceptions about the business of selling books? I'm sure all of us hold onto certain myths from time to time, shadowy creatures that lurk in the trees and vines, and to the extent we do we're often unable to see past them to the truth. In our first feature article, "Dispelling the Seven Deadly Myths of Bookselling," we will examine some of the more prevalent myths about books and their value.
In this and upcoming issues we will also launch several regular and semi-regular features, including:
1. The Bookologist Glossary of Bookselling Terms. No ordinary glossary, important terms will not only be defined but also explained in detail and illustrated with clear photographs. Featured terms will be archived, and within a year or so, it's our intention to have the most complete and authoritative online glossary anywhere.
2. Book repair. As much as possible, we will attempt to include only simple repairs, the kind that require little or no equipment, marginal skills to accomplish, and a small investment of time, cheerfully leaving the rest for archivists to fuss over. Also, when possible, we will tie in the featured glossary term with a related repair, as we do in this issue with foxing.
3. Bookselling Tip of the Month. The right tip can sometimes transform a nickel-and-dime bookseller into a bookselling force. We will feature only the best and most timely tips we can find.
4. Market News. Some market niches, of course, are hotter than others, and we will try to report on the hottest ones out there, providing not only an overview of the topic, but specific authors and titles to look for.
5. Letters to the Editor. We strongly encourage your feedback, both in comments (pro and con) and questions. The best letters will be published, the best questions answered. We're particularly looking for bookseller-oriented consumer complaints, questions with broad appeal that are difficult to find answers for elsewhere, and specific suggestions on how to make this newsletter more useful to you. Address your letters to the Editor, Craig Stark, at craig@bookologist.com.
Upcoming issues will feature a profile of Abebooks, comparison profiles of three booksellers (one who sells in a brick-and-mortar store only, another who has married the traditional B&M venue with the modern method of selling online, and a third who sells exclusively online), additional how-to articles on bookselling, head-to-head and hopefully entertaining battles between the Iron Bookseller and a worthy opponent, presentation makeovers, and much more.
Finally, the Bookologist is accepting banner and text advertising for future issues. Rates are especially competitive for those getting in on the ground floor. Please contact David Steiner at dave@bookologist.com for details.
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